![Taylor Swift Honored With First-Ever Dick Clark Award for Excellence at 2014 AMAs](http://townsquare.media/site/204/files/2014/11/459487510-630x419.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Taylor Swift Honored With First-Ever Dick Clark Award for Excellence at 2014 AMAs
Taylor Swift had a big day on Sunday. After opening the 2014 American Music Awards with a performance, the 'Shake It Off' hitmaker was honored with the inaugural Dick Clark Award for Excellence. To top it off, a music icon presented Swift with the award.
Diana Ross handed the award to Swift, first describing what Dick Clark did for music by saying he "made it possible for us to be here at the AMAs."
“He opened doors for us," Ross told a standing crowd. "He was a trailblazer. He was a legend.”
A legend herself, Ross gushed over Swift before she took the stage, calling her “a young woman who has taken the music industry by storm," adding, "She is a true superstar."
A video montage showed highlights from Swift's career, including her interactions with fans, live performances and even her groundbreaking moments most recently with '1989.' The crowd went crazy following the montage, and Ross said it was her pleasure to present the award to Swift, who hugged Selena Gomez and Sam Smith and kissed Lorde before she accepted.
“I’m so blown away to have just received an award from Diana Ross,” Swift said, telling the songstress, “I am so honored. Thank you for coming. You’re beautiful.”
Swift went on to talk about Clark and his influence on music before thanking her fans. "I love you so much. I love getting to know you," she told them.
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